The noise, the dust, the fumes, the mess, the constant influx of workers, unsightly equipment and vehicles, the service disruptions—everybody wants to live in a well-maintained building or development, but one thing many co-op and condo …

The everyday problems in homeowners associations are usually pretty cut-and-dried. Most of the time, disputes between neighbors, or between residents and the board, can be filed under a few headings. Noise, whether issued from refrigerat…

Phillipsburg is one of those small towns that when you hear about it, you want to immediately jump into your car, drive to the area and check it out. Just read the description of their town on their website, www.phillipsburgnj.org: …

They are the ones who maintain elevators, lay traps for rodents, re-tar the roof, mow the lawn, and rewire the lights in the association clubhouse. If a water main bursts, they repair the leak. You can find them under the boilers, in the fl…

Boards of directors in co-op and condo buildings are generally elected volunteers who live in the community themselves and have a vested interest in preserving its quality of life while protecting the investment that the building or deve…

Most residents of a condo, co-op or HOA know at least a few of their board members—or at least know their names. Often, the same people serve on the board year after year. But what makes them want to serve? And why don't new people const…

It's a job that eats away at your free time, often results in you being bothered in your home after-hours and on weekends, and to top it off, doesn't pay one red cent. In fact, add up expenses like phone calls and gas, and you might even…

If there were metaphorical rock stars in the financial management of a homeowner's association, those rock stars would be known as the treasurer, accountant and building manager. These three are the power trio of the co-op and condo fina…

Three years ago, a member of the New York Giants football team was looking to move into Manhattan and applied to buy a co-op at one of the more luxurious buildings in town. Although the player made millions each year, he was denied entra…

All of us use the services of a group of businesses called public utilities. Private homes and commercial enterprises depend on the availability and uninterrupted flow of electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications services. S…